Blog & Guides

Welcome to the Visit Bristol blog, your one-stop shop for ideas, inspiration and handy tips to make your time in Bristol that bit better!

From suggested itineraries to festival round-ups and unmissable things to do, our guides aim to showcase the best of the city, whatever the time of year. We publish new blogs every week and keep our blog posts up-to-date with the latest information, so you can trust that you’re getting the most accurate and useful tips for your trip.

Planning a trip with the family? Check out our guides on Places to stay with kids in and around Bristol and Things to do with teenagers. We’ve also got a list of 60 free things to do to keep costs down.

Coming here to sample as much of the food scene as you can? Have a read through our list of Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, top cocktail bars and pub gardens, or find the best places to go for vegan food while you’re here. We’re sure you’ll also want to try a tasty Sunday roast while you’re here – we've rounded up a few of the best of those too!

If you’re local to Bristol, or here for a few days, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for day trips to the north, south, east and west of the city so that you can experience as much of the region as possible. Maybe you want to tick off all of the World Heritage Sites near Bristol, or discover our most accessible outdoor attractions.

We’ll also have seasonal guides to help you get the most out of Summer in Bristol, from rooftop bars to scenic cycle routes, or find out what’s on for Christmas in and around the city.

Keep checking back for more brilliant Bristol inspiration!

Category: Things To Do

Exterior of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Andrew Butler

Best day trips west of Bristol

Jul. 01, 2024

As the capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, iconic landmarks and beautiful countryside are all just a short train, bus journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in…

A green poster for A Child of Science featuring the cast - Credit Bristol Old Vic

Review: A Child of Science at Bristol Old Vic

Jun. 13, 2024

Charlotte from Visit West reviews A Child of Science at Bristol Old Vic. A Child of Science is a poignant and inspiring dramatisation that delves into one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. In 1978, Dr. Patrick Steptoe, Dr. Robert Edwards, and Jean Purdy forever…

Review: Hamilton at The Bristol Hippodrome

May 08, 2024

Serena from Visit Bristol reviews Hamilton at The Bristol Hippodrome: After seeing Hamilton for the first time at the London Victoria Palace theatre a couple of years ago, my expectations were already set in place for the mastery of the musical. Experiencing this touring production at The Bristol…

Lit up colourful trees at Westonbirt - Credit Johnny Hathaway

Accessible winter activities in Bristol

Dec. 05, 2023

Visiting Bristol around the festive period and want to know the best things to do if you have additional access needs? Tallulah Clark has a few suggestions... Bristol is brimming with fun things to do this winter, from Bristol's Christmas Market in Broadmead to light trails, festive theatre shows…

A view of The Matthew replica ship passing through Bristol's Cumberland Basin with the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the background - credit Nick Greville

Itinerary: Discovering local histories in Bristol

Apr. 10, 2023

Learn more about Bristol's communities and local stories at these museums across the city. For these journeys you can take a return train between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, or purchase a Freedom Travelpass for West of England for unlimited train and bus travel within Bristol, Bath, North…

One of the guides from the 'Where The Wall' street art tour in Nelson Street, central Bristol - credit Paul Box

Itinerary: Experience the visual arts in Bristol and Bath

Mar. 30, 2023

Experience the best of Bristol and Bath's art scene, and minimise your carbon footprint at the same time. For these journeys, you can take a return train between Bath Spa and Bristol or purchase a Freedom Travelpass for West of England for unlimited train and bus travel within Bristol, Bath, North…

An exhibition inside the Royal Photographic Society exhibition space at Paintworks Bristol - credit Derryn Vranch

Itinerary: Discovering photography in Bristol

Mar. 24, 2023

Experience the best of Bristol's pioneering and inspiring attractions using public transport, and minimise your carbon footprint at the same time. For these journeys around Bristol, you can use a Freedom Travelpass for West of England for unlimited train and bus travel across Bristol, Bath, North…

The 'Galaxy' area of Wake The Tiger Bristol - credit Andre Pattenden

Itinerary: A day of innovation and discovery in Bristol

Mar. 13, 2023

Experience the best of Bristol's pioneering and inspiring attractions using public transport, and minimise your carbon footprint at the same time. For these journeys around Bristol, you can explore the city on foot and by using a FirstDay, Bristol Zone – unlimited travel on First buses for one day…

2 meerkats at Bristol Zoo Proejct - Credit Charlotte Harris

5 accessible outdoor attractions in Bristol

Aug. 23, 2022

The detailed access guides on AccessAble make planning days out quick and easy, whatever your access needs. Here the team recommends some of the most accessible outdoor attractions in Bristol. From city farms to botanic gardens, we’re lucky to have a wealth of outdoor attractions across Bristol. But…

Mini Jeep Safari at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park near Bristol - credit Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

Inclusive family attractions in Bristol

Aug. 05, 2022

Local blogger and mum-of-two Jade from The Autism Page has kindly penned this guest post for us, sharing her top recommendations for inclusive family-friendly attractions in Bristol. Over to Jade… Bristol is full of fantastic inclusive family attractions. Knowing that an attraction is disability…